Effective population management key for sustainable development: PM Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (15 May) stressed the need for effective population management which is considered a key determinant for sustainable development.

"For the vast populations around the globe, it is necessary to transform their demographic dividend by ensuring essential education, healthcare, and other fundamental rights," she said.

The premier made the remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the two-day event titled "ICPD30 Global Dialogue on Demographic Diversity and Sustainable Development" at Intercontinental Hotel.

Bangladesh, Bulgaria and Japan, together with UNFPA, are hosting the event that creates a platform to discuss the challenges and explore the opportunities of the world's shifting demographics.

The prime minister said transforming demographic dividend will create a prosperous global system.

"To achieve this goal, development partners and international financial institutions need to be more sincere and internally committed to ensuring the quantity and accessibility of international arrangements for general healthcare, particularly in the field of maternal and child healthcare services," she said.

The premier said that the global dialogue held in Dhaka will provide the necessary recommendations for the Summit of the Future to be held in September 2024 in the United Nations.

"The international community at the Summit of the Future will reaffirm their strong political commitment to addressing population and development issues," she said.

She also spoke about the forcibly displaced Rohingya people from Myanmar who have taken shelter in Bangladesh and the Palestinians suffering from Israeli aggression and occupation.

"A large number of women and children in Palestine are currently deprived of necessary medical and health services. They are fighting for survival every day," she said.

Sheikh Hasina called for more effective role from United Nations and other international organisations to ensure essential health services for all in Palestine where people are fighting for survival every day against the Israeli aggression and occupation.

"I hope that the United Nations and other international organisations will take a more effective role in ensuring essential health services for all, especially women and children, there," she said.

She added that given the detrimental impact of climate change on public health and other health risks, it is essential to ensure international cooperation to protect the health and well-being of people, particularly mothers, children, and the elderly, from health risks.

"At the same time, I consider it crucial to pay attention to the distressed and marginalised populations due to conflicts and political reasons," she continued.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem, Minister of Social and Family Development of the Maldives Aishath Shiham, Kiribati's Minister for Women, Youth, Sports and Social Affairs Martin Moretti, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Yasushi and State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Rokeya Sultana, among others, spoke at the programme.

Representatives from the Government of Bulgaria also joined the opening ceremony.